“THE MIGHTY”
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
BANG!
We open cold to last week at Ring of Dreams. The sound of gunfire is the only thing we hear as the static leaves our screens.
The immediate after effect of that shot is where we pick things up.
The bullet slow motions through the air, hurtling towards Ares – who’s face is a picture of shock and disgust. The bullet smashes into his chest plate, cracking it with the ferocity, but doesn’t penetrate.
Things suddenly speed back up.
And Ares reaches out, grabbing the gun from Hephaestus and slamming it into the side of his head. He drops the builder and then the weapon, mounting their former trusted member of the Pantheon.
“You think you can kill me?” He roars.
With every second that passes, a punch is levied at the skull of Hephaestus. His groans turn to whimpers, which turn ever so slowly into gurgles, then into nothing but squelching silence.
Ares stands up, blood, skull and brain matter dripping from his bloodied and bruised hands.
The door suddenly flies open, causing the Bodyguard to charge at the person behind it, ramming them into the wall. It’s a member of the Uprising. Ares grabs his sword and pulls it from his sheath, slamming it in and out of the attacker.
Blood flies everywhere.
He storms down the halls, hacking and slashing at anything that moves until nothing moves at all.
Nothing.
The once pristine white hall of The House of Sovereigns is now a blood soaked battlefield with just one man left standing; The Mighty Ares.
He reaches down and grabs a radio dropped by one of his soldiers.
“Status report on the Baron?” He growls.
Hiss.
“Status fucking report on Zeus!” He roars once more.
“He’s gone,” is the muffled reply. “They took him.”
Ares face is that of pure unadulterated rage.
Cut.
“VEAL”
The Shark Tank.
Though this bar now belongs to Drexl, we aren’t focusing on the owner of what was formerly Club 40. No, we’re focused on the likes of Blacktooth, the leader of the Blood Runners sitting in what appears to be a personal booth paid for with ill-gotten credits! He sits back, drinking a very Bloody Mary, relaxing before his match later tonight.
“Where is he?” His relaxation, however, is short lived as a ragged voice speaks loudly over the music. The Blood Runners part ways to reveal The Burned Man, the former hero pushing past the pack with an unmatched courage that few in Arcadia could even hope to muster.
“Where’s who?” Blacktooth muses, not even sitting up to give The Burned Man any sort of respect. He instead sips his drink contently, eyeing his pack who stand at the ready, clearly prepared to pounce at a moment’s notice.
“You know who. Faith. Where’s my son?” The Sole Survivor doesn’t raise his voice, he speaks matter-of-factly, clearly ready to fight if it comes down to it. He shoulders the Kingdomblade, clearly ready to swing at a moment’s notice.
“Your son?” Blacktooth chuckles, leaning forwards. “The piece of veal who got nabbed from ringside? I saw your lil reunion, Burnie. Real heart breakin’, won’t it? But I’m sorry to say, I don’t really eat veal.” He trails off, sipping from his drink again. “Unless I know it can put up a fight, I mean. I suppose I have a rack in the freezer down in the compound. Bit of a walk though, ain’t it?”
Blacktooth lets out a demonic laugh, looking to his men who surround Burned Man. “Tell you what, I’ll even look for ya. Might not want him back if my boys grabbed him. Might have some pieces missin’.”
THWACK!
BURNED MAN SWUNG THE KINGDOMBLADE AND LEVELED THE BLOOD RUNNERS SURROUNDING HIM!
Before Blacktooth can react The Burned Man has taken off! He rushes out of The Shark Tank, leaving a slew of fallen men behind him. It’s clear where he’s heading.
And without a match tonight, he’ll have a head start on Blacktooth to get there.
Cut.
Two odd couples to toe to toe. Can the champs retain, or will the former friends knock them out of the competition?
Vision is first and he locks up with Colt Ramsey! Both men vie for an advantage before Vision nails a harsh uppercut! He nails a headbutt that staggers him before leaping forwards with a clothesline! BUT COLT DUCKS! THE JOURNO THROWS OUT A FLURRY OF KICKS AND VISION STUMBLES INTO AN INVERTED DDT! QUICK WRAP!
Ramsey tags in Narcissa once she’s back to the apron and Hera hits a diving knee drop from the second turnbuckle! PrettyUGLY is in firm control as she peels Vision up AND GETS PULLED INTO THE DRAGON SLEEPER! VISION BACKS UP TO THE TURNBUCKLE AND GETS THE BLIND TAG! GRIMSKULL DDTS VISION! HELLO DARKNESS, MY OLD FRIEND!
Grimskull drops a harsh kick to the side of Hera and sends her rolling across the ring before hitting the ropes, coming back with a leaping knee to the rising Olympian! Narcissa stumbles to her feet and narrowly avoids a wild haymaker before leaping up and hitting a tilt-a-whirl headscissors that grounds Grimskull!
The Martyr slowly rolls to his feet and gets caught with a wild dropkick that bounces him into the turnbuckle where Narcissa tags in Colt! Ramsey locks in the full nelson! OUTFIT TO PRINT- NO! VISION RUNS IN AND GRABS GRIMSKULL’S HEAD! HE NAILS NARCISSA WITH IT! GRIMSKULL DROPTOE HOLDS COLT ONTO HIS OWN SKULL! EYES WIDE SHUT! HE COVERS! One! Two! Three!
Despite their differences, Grimskull and Vision continue to round two in self-destructive fashion!
WINNERS AND ADVANCING: KALEIDOSCOPE
“AN ODYSSEY AWAITS”
The Doom Factory.
Stubbins Doom stands in the middle of his Doom Factory, weighing up calculations and scribbling them on a large black board.
Static.
Darkness.
Static.
Scissors.
Suddenly and abruptly, The Marionettist appears, his head lowered and his body slinked. Doom is startled but tries to brush it off.
“I’ve been thinking about you, Felix,” he says with a sinister smile.
Scissors doesn’t say anything.
“I can help you find the dominance within yourself. I’ve been designing something spectacular – something that if used appropriately, could yield unbelievable results.”
“How so?” The Marionettist enquires.
Doom excitedly turns his black board over, revealing the schematic designs behind what looks to be his latest invention. It looks like a large circular pool of sorts, almost like a vat.
“With my latest invention, I can help you find the dominant part of your personality. Are you Scissors, or are you Felix Foley? What this Odyssey Pool will do is pull to the forefront the most dominant part of your being. If you’re predominantly Scissors, then you will remain. If you’re predominantly Felix Foley, then he will come to the fore. Whoever is the strongest within you, will succeed.”
Scissors walks over, running his nails across the chalk board.
“An Odyssey awaits,” he mutters. “Build it.”
Doom smiles.
Cut.
“THE DEAD SING, I”
People search for a lot of things in the Red District, but one can also find solitude there if they wish it.
In a clandestine room, El Mariachi Muerte, former World Champion, is perched. His frame is but a massive shadow in the room’s sparse illumination. The only source of light is the solemn glow of a congregation of candles, their flickering flames casting an eerie dance on an imposing mural of his face paint behind him.
The visage of death staring into the void.
EMM hums a haunting tune, cradling his guitar with the reverence of a monk holding a sacred relic.
After all, it’s not merely an instrument; it is a talisman, a tangible memory of a bountiful past.
His fingers find the familiar strings. There is a moment of breathless anticipation, and then he strums.
But the notes, once as smooth and mournful as the night, come out as discordant as a shattered mirror.
Impossible.
Muerte frowns, a crease appearing on his painted face. His fingers dance again, their rhythm unaltered, their vigor unchanged.
And yet, the discordance repeats, a disturbing echo in the quietude of the room. A strange breeze seems to enter the isolated room, grabbing at the candles.
Darkness.
The lingering strings of the distorted melody fade, sucked into the engulfing darkness.
But out of the darkness emerges a pale specter. At first, it appears almost as if just a memory of the room fully lit.
Until it moves, twists, and contorts into something different.
Materializing before EMM is an ethereal figure, spectral and pale in the abyss.
It’s the old Mariachi who helped EMM and Dr. Death some time ago.
The same Mariachi Dr. Death claimed to have killed.
His eyes, hollow yet ablaze with a spectral light, stare back at EMM. The room fills with a chill, colder than any winter, the air becoming thick with dread.
“The Music,” the specter rasps in a voice as brittle as the decaying pages of ancient sheet music. “The Music has been broken.”
His words hang in the air, their syllables entwined with the chilling quiet.
“La Musica?” EMM whispers. His guitar, once an extension of his soul, now feels as unfamiliar and cold as a tombstone in his hands.
“Mi amigo, what has happened to la Musica?” Muerte dares to ask. His fingers brush the strings again, half-expecting the disharmony that follows.
The deceased Mariachi regards him with a silent gaze for a moment. It raises a spectral hand, pointing towards the direction from which it came.
“I do not know.” He says after a moment. “El Mariachi Muerte, this is your task. The Music has been broken, and only you can repair it. Seek out the one who killed me. Only by searching your past will you find the way forward. Seek Dr. Death.”
As quickly as he appeared, the Mariachi dissipates into the darkness, leaving EMM alone in the room, his heart pounding a rhythm more chaotic than his broken music.
The candles suddenly reignite, as if nothing had happened.
In the stygian gloom, with a foreboding mural as his sole witness, El Mariachi Muerte rises as a whisper carries over the air, the dead Mariachi’s voice flickering the candles.
“Save the Music.”
Cut.
First-round action sees the newly-freed Harold Attano teams with Jinx, in the hopes of hacking their way through Scandium Sulphur for a win over Stubbins Doom and Scissors!
We start off with Attano staring down Doom, who scoffs as he directs Scissors to wait on the apron. Attano rushes toward the Mad Scientist…but Mr. Nobody is met with nothing as Doom sidesteps him, watching Attano collide against the turnbuckle! Doom grabs Attano by the head…and begins shocking him!
BRAINS OVER BRAUN! Doom already up to his tricks before letting go with a smirk on his face. He pulls Attano away from the turnbuckle, but Mr. Nobody dodges a clothesline by bending backward before hitting a scorpion kick on the Scientist, sending him reeling back in the process! VENOM!
Attano leaps to his corner, tagging in Jinx! Stubbins looks poised to attack as he raises his fists…only to be met with a pair of superkicks by .kill//Exploit! BRUTE FORCE ATTACK…AND ANOTHER ONE ON SCISSORS AS HE RUSHES IN! Jinx with the cover on the Scientist! ONE! TWO! NO!
Doom kicks out! The Scientist is up, but is met with a flurry of offense by the duo until Scissors gets the blind tag, clearing the ring of Attano as Doom sprays Jinx with toxin…and Scissors hits the bicycle kick to the head! CHEMICAL CUT! SCISSORS COVERS! ONE! TWO! THREE!
Attano and Jinx fall to the might of Scandium Sulphur, as Doom and Scissors advance to the next round!
WINNERS AND ADVANCING: SCANDIUM SULFUR
“GONE VIRAL”
The Groves teems with a menagerie of beasts large and small.
Luther Grim is at home here, stalking silently through the trees. His keen eyes spot a quiet rustle in the underbrush, a deer taking flight.
Hefting his spear, he moves silently after it.
A predator on the hunt. This was the life he’d chosen, the life he loved.
As Luther readied his spear, ready to lunge, a distant, ethereal melody cut through the forest silence. It was delicate, yet it carried clearly, disrupting the serenity of his hunt. It was…
Video game music?
Then came the voice, a confident, playful tone echoing between the trees.
“What’s the matter, Grim? Can’t you catch a digital deer?”
Jinx.
The image of a pixilated deer flashes between the trees. Up in a nearby tree, Jinx is knelt.
“It’s so easy coming after you, Lou.” She says with a smirk. “I could have ended you at Ring of Dreams, and I could have ended you just now.”
Luther’s grip tightens on his spear.
“So why haven’t you?” He calls.
“First of all, because I like a challenge.” She says. “Second of all, because I wanted to make this last. That image of your stupid face staring at a fake deer is currently being uploaded into every server in the mid-levels. You’ve gone viral, Grim.”
Luther Grim has no idea what the fuck she’s talking about. He just wants a fight.
“I’m offended you don’t remember me.” She continues. “But you will, after I speedrun kicking your ass.”
Her form begins to pixelate.
“But first, I’ve got a firewall to get around.”
She vanishes, leaving Luther Grim to brood.
“You want a game, little girl?” He mutters.
“Let’s play.”
Cut.
“THE KALEIDOSCOPE”
Backstage at Olympus, the roar of the crowd is matched only by the roar escaping the mouth of Vision. We’ve seen many faces of Vision in recent times, but we’ve never seen him so shaken as this.
“GRIMSKULL” he shouts down the hall, after the Preacher, who walks among some of his own people. The Preacher does not even turn.
“WALTHER!” he roars, spittle exploding from his lips in sheer anger.
Grimskull turns slowly. His crowd of followers spreading to form a wall of bodies that is imposing, against the Third Eye leader, who has come alone.
“I have spent months imparting advice to you. Telling you the ways of The Third Eye. Believing you were open to the changes that would have needed making. But you betrayed me!”
Grimskull laughs a deep, sadistic laugh. He walks up to Vision and prods him in the chest.
“You have the nerve to talk to me about betrayal? You portray yourself as this man of the cloth. You compared us, said we were both religious leaders but we are not the same. I betrayed you because I acted a little and wore a fake blindfold?”
He’s now right in the face of Vision.
“If that’s betrayal what do you call the man who sticks his friends head into a pot of molten metal? What do you call a man who leaves that friend to rot, believing him to be dead? The truth is Vision that you are not a holy man. You are not divine. The Third Eye is nothing more than a scam of a cult, taking in psychopaths who have no other place to call home. People just like you.“
Vision recoils at this, but gathers himself and retorts.
“The Third Eye is no scam, and it’s no cult either. I taught you the facets of the prism that we follow and those are REAL. You could still be a part of this, Walther.”
“No, Vincent. I could never be a part of this. But you will be part of something. Something much bigger. Forget the facets of your prism. You will see the facets collide, and colours and shapes become distorted beyond all recognition. Forget the prism. Welcome to the kaleidoscope.”
He turns and leaves, followed by his entourage, and leaving Vision alone in the corridor.
Cut.
A Black Plague has brought the Day of the Dead to Double Tap but the question is who will walk away in this first round contest.
The fight is on as the Mariachi grabs Gemini attempting to send her into the ropes only to be countered into a Code Breaker – YIN OUT OF THE GATE BY GEMINI! Quick tag to Blacktooth who saunters in and locks in the Camel Clutch and Fishhooks the nose – MUTILATION!
Tombstone busts into the ring knocking Blacktooth on his ass to break the hold. Gemini responds by springboarding into the ring looking for a flying Codebreaker on Tombstone – BUT SHE’S CAUGHT IN MID-AIR AND SLAMMED ONTO THE KNEES OF A WAITING EMM IN AN AD HOCK LUNGBLOWER – LAST ODE TO CHARON! The Referee then attempts to wrangle Tombstone out of the ring as Blacktooth hits EMM with a Curb Stomp as he attempts to stand – DIRT NAP!
Cover… but no count as the referee is still trying to get Tombstone back into his corner. Blacktooth notices the distraction and motions to a now recovered Gemini and they hit the Backstabber Blockbuster Combo – BLOOD MOON OVER DOUBLE TAP!
Tombstone pushes his way past the referee grabbing Gemini by the neck but The Cannibal kicks Gemini in head by accident as the Ferryman pulls her into the path of the boot, knocking her from the ring. The Mariachi’s recovered and Blacktooth is alone, Goozle by Tombstone and EMM jumps up as Blacktooth goes for the ride Chokeslam Lungblower Combo – IT’S THE SOUND OF DEATH – MARIACHI SLIDES BLACKTOOTH INTO CRUCIFIX STYLE PIN… ONE… TWO… THREE!
The Day of the Dead survive round one beaten and battered but very much still fit for competition.
WINNERS AND ADVANCING: DAY OF THE DEAD
“BACK TO JAIL”
Harold Attano is understandably excited to be back home.
It’s been years since he left his abode in the upper levels and was taken to Deathrow and dropped there like garbage. He sorts through some of his old belongings when there’s a knock at the door.
“Arcadia Police Department, open up,” comes a voice from outside.
Harold reluctantly walks over, opening the door slightly.
As he does, it’s forcibly kicked in and he’s thrust backwards. The Culprit? TEC.
But behind him is the man who asked the question, his partner, Jackson Cade.
Beat cop.
“I’m sorry,” Jackson iterates immediately. “My new partner here is a little eager. He’ll need that for when he talks with Drexl later.”
“What the fuck do you want?” Harold says, getting back to his feet. “I’ve just been released from prison by Zeus himself. Do you know who I am?”
“Haven’t you heard?” Jackson retorts with a grimace. “Zeus was taken by the Uprising. He’s missing.”
That shocks Attano.
“And since you were one of the last people Ares said that he spoke to, you’re of peak interest to the investigation.”
Harold thinks about it for a moment. He looks Cade up and down, checking out his beat cop uniform. He chuckles to himself.
“You know, since when did beat cops run high profile investigations into missing persons the sheer magnitude of Zeus?” Harold enquires with a shrug. “Get the fuck out of my apartment, kid.”
TEC suddenly grabs Attano, turning him around. Cade moves in with cuffs, placing them on the former convict.
“What’s this really about?” Harold asks.
Cade doesn’t dignify it with a response.
“Harold Attano, you’re under arrest for suspicion of kidnapping.”
Nobody audibly laughs as Cade and TEC drag him into police custody.
“You’re making a mistake, son.”
Cut.
“DOUBLE TAP”
Recorded Earlier
Colt is writing, a trail of papers strewn across a dimly lit desk. He adjusts the desk lamp to illuminate the back corner of the desk when he is interrupted by the sounds of footsteps moving up the steps of the dwelling.
High heeled footsteps. Colt shuffles the papers back into the folder and slams it shut as Narcissa enters the room.
“Narcy…” Colt states coldly as some form of greeting. A defined difference from last time we heard him say her name. Narcissa’s eyes widen, catching sight of the folder on his desk hastily shut. In an instant she is in Colt’s face, pushing him up against the wall and glaring a warning at him.
“What are you playing at here, Colt?” She reaches for the folder, but Colt stops her. He says nothing, but the glare in his eyes says everything. Narcissa backs away, holding her hands up.
“You’re back playing angles and investigations again. That much is clear. But you need to tread carefully.” She draws a deep breath. “I came here to set things straight with you..”
Colt cuts her off.
“Bullshit, Narcissa. You came here because you’re scared of what I know. I don’t know why yet, but I do know what I saw. I know what my camera saw, I remember clearly now.”
He looks straight at her.
“If I can find a copy of that photo… You tried to kill him, and he covered it up for you. I’m going to find out why, but the people deserve to know the truth.”
“Do you know what would happen… Colt… Nobody knows.” Narcissa adjusts her hair, eyes wet with tears hidden behind them and composes herself into a somewhat seductive smile. “Well, you do. And that’s already too much. You know, Colt, we just have to keep that… silent.”
Narcissa is trying to turn on her charms, but the once smitten Colt doesn’t go for it. He blinks, tilting his head as he looks at her.
“Was that what I sounded like?” He laughs, clearing his throat. “Wow… Narcissa. My head is clear, I’m seeing things clearly for the first time in ages.”
The seductive smile fades from Narcissa’s face. She turns a shade of pale.
“Please, Colt. You cannot reveal my secret.”
Colt smiles.
“I won’t, yet. I don’t understand the full details yet. But when I do, the people will know. What secrets are you hiding behind this Narcy?”
Narcissa is silent for a very long time, her eyes wet when she answers, barely a whisper escaping her lips.
“Just… Please, Colt.” She draws near him again but he remains guarded and doesn’t let her in. Narcissa looks him in the eye. “For us.”
Colt doesn’t say anything. He merely backs away from her, leaving her alone as he tends to the folder on his desk, giving her the silent cue that she has outstayed her welcome.
Cut.
Will Apex Predators be able to feast on Atomic Eagles? We find out now in the first round of Double Tap!
DING! DING! Luther Grim and TEC start the match with a tie up! TEC overpowers Grim and throws him into the corner! TEC charges with a spear but Grim sidesteps it and TEC crashes into the ring post! To make matters worse, it’s the wrong corner and Drewitt nails a big boot shoving TEC face first into the post!
Grim yanks him out of the post and goes for a German Suplex but TEC elbows out of it! He follows it with DECISIVE EVIDENCE! TEC got all of that superkick and covers! ONE! TWO! THR-NO! Luther gets the shoulder up! TEC grabs the extended wrist and drags Grim to Cade!
Cade tags in and predator becomes prey as Cade hoists Grim up and nails the MASTER KEY! Brainbuster! He’s not done as he climbs the top rope! SCREAMING EAGLE! No! Grim rolls out of the way and the eagle has fallen hard from the nest! He gets up but BLOOD SPORT! Grim capitalized with the brogue kick!
He tags in Drewitt! Drewitt has seen enough and he’s ready to end this! He pulls Cade up and locks in the front headlock! Cade holds on and charges Drewitt into the turnbuckle! He tags TEC in and TEC instantly snatches Drewitt into a Fisherman suplex position! Cade nails a superkick and TEC spikes Drewitt with the Brainbuster! CONVICTED! TEC covers! ONE! TWO! THREE!
What a win for Atomic Eagles as the long and robotic arm of the law go on to the second round!
WINNERS AND ADVANCING: ATOMIC EAGLE
“PNEUMONIC”
The Red District is buzzing with life, different clubs with their neon signs promising fantasies within. But it is not the lights that seems to be catching peoples’ attention on this night.
A lady of the night staggers towards one of the Red Districts strip clubs, as if drunken. She’s coughing, a hacking cough mixed with uncontrollable sneezes. As she approaches the doorway, the security guard steps forward to stop her, but she falls down face first, dead, before he can so much as a word.
A small crowd forms around her body, muttering in slight panic, but one figure steps over the body and right up to the security guard without so much as a second thought. Gemini, in her true form as Nergal. The stunned security guard holds his hand out, but she draws a deep breath and coughs a cloud into his face. The guard breaks out in hives as the cloud touches him and begins coughing up blood.
Mild panic turns to hysteria at the sight, and Gemini casually enters the club, gliding over to the bar, where a terrified soul looks back.
“This place is a cesspool.” Her tongue darts out of her mouth as she looks over the terrified barman. “It requires a true ruler. I understand that one goes by the name Duke of Desire. You will tell me where I can find him. I wish to… have words.”
The terrified worker fumbles behind the bar for a moment, before holding up a simple business card. On it is written but a single word, embossed on the white card.
‘Eden’
Nergal smiles, if you can call it a smile. The barman screams as her breath blows over him and he instantly starts coughing uncontrollably. By the time she has retrieved the card from his fingers, he is already coughing up blood.
Gemini looks over the card, knowing now exactly where she must go.
Cut.
The Double Tap Semi-Finals are upon us as the calculating killers go up against the fractured allies. Can the former friends ally together once more or will truth revealed finally cut the strings of their allegence?
The bell sounds as V1sion starts off with Stubbins Doom, the Awoken One surprising Doom with a running knee to the gut that doubles him over before he’s lifted up high into the air
AND SPIKED DOWN INTO THE MAT WITH A VICIOUS BRAINBUSTER!
Doom staggers up to his feet into a flurry of lefts and rights that stagger him back into the ropes as V1sion throws him across the ring, trying for a clothesline but Stubbins manages to duck underneath before cocking his left hand
WATCH MY RIGHT HAND TO THE BACK OF THE SKULL!
V1sion staggers forward before dropping to one knee, Doom casually walking forward as he collects his fallen appendage before trying to pull V1sion up
BUT IT WAS A RUSE AS V1SION SPINS HIM AROUND AND LOCKS IN THE DRAGON SLEEPER!
Doom is forced to say Hello to Darkness but he’s not locked in the sleeper for long as Grimskull rushes into the ring, grabbing V1sion by the head and spiking him into the mat with a DDT, crunching Doom’s vertebrae in the process
V1sion feels pain from his Old Friend as Grimskull pulls him to his feet and signals for the Awoken One to go to the top. Kaleidoscope climb up onto opposite corners, sizing up the fallen Doom for a moment before V1sion leaps off
SHOT IN THE…CANVAS! DOOM MOVES AWAY JUST IN TIME AS GRIMSKULL LEAPS OFF, DELIVERING AN AWAKENING TO THE BACK OF V1SION’S SKULL! KALEIDOSCOPE COULDN’T OVERCOME THE REVERSAL
Doom stumbles up onto his feet, tagging in Scissors who rushes in and nearly decapitates a rising Grimskull with a brutal Lariat. V1sion gets to his feet, ducking underneath a Lariat thrown his way before rushing to the ropes
RIGHT INTO A QUICK SNIP! BRUTAL POWERSLAM!
V1sion gets nearly drilled through the mat from the pure strength as he’s roughly pulled up to his feet. Scissors nearly breaks his ribs with a brutal knee before lifting V1sion up high
POWERBOMB
A SECOND
Scissors lifts him up once more, looking to complete the Archimedes Principle
LESSON
Leaping Superkick to the back of the head stuns Scissors, forcing him to drop V1sion but as Grimskull backs up, looking for a second to the face, Scissors dodges
AS GRIMSKULL SUPERKICKS HIS OWN PARTNER!
Grimskull doesn’t even get a chance to be shocked before he’s thrown overhead with a release German to the outside before Scissors lifts the groggy V1sion up, spinning him around
AND
CUTS
THE
STRINGS!
Brutal Snap Full Nelson Suplex has to be it for V1sion as Scissors holds back for the pinfall
ONE
………………..
…………………….
TWO
…………………………..
…………………………….
……………………….
THREE!!!
Scandium Sulphur pick up the big victory over Kaleidoscope here with a dominant showing of the monsterous VHS Champion as they now move onto the finals of Double Tap and the OSW World Tag Team Titles
WINNERS AND ADVANCING: SCANDIUM SULFUR
“WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE”
The Night Before.
We find ourselves deep inside the hottest new property in the Red Light district, though a quick look around reveals some familiarity. After all, there was a time this was Club 40, the homebase for Caesar XL…but he’s long gone by now, and sitting in his place?
Drexl, the new head honcho. A smile on his face as he shakes hands with the patrons of his little corner of the district…The Shark Tank. Soon, that smile becomes a grin worthy of the leading shark, as he sees a potential new fish to prey upon stepping into his view.
A fish packaged up in metal…the Tactical Examination Correspondent, and it is staring the new club boss down as only TEC can.
“Well, hello! It’s so nice to see the long arm of the law make its way to my humble abode. What can I do for the Arcadian Police Department?”
The inquiry is met with a cold stare by the Automaton, its gaze shifting between Drexl and the armed men standing close by, ready to stop it at the first sight of trouble. Eventually, the TEC speaks in a manner suitable to its nature.
“The Arcadian Police Department is seeking information regarding Jackson Cade and Jasper Redgrave.”
This gets a chuckle from Drexl, forcing the TEC to tilt its head as if trying to process the response.
“Nah, I’m afraid I have nothing for you there, my friend,” Drexl says with another smile on his face as he rises to his feet. “Tell me, what it is you want?”
TEC takes a moment to consider the question posed by the man standing before him. Eventually, the Automaton has a reply.
“Answers.”
This causes Drexl and his men to laugh in response, no doubt giving further confusion to the Automation.
“Everybody wants answers, my friend,” replies Drexl. “And it just so happens I may have something for you…but it’s gonna come at a cost.”
“What would such answers cost the Arcadian Police Department?”
Drexl just chuckles again, shaking his head at the question posted by TEC.
“No, this would not be a department charge…this is coming strictly out of whatever pocket you may have on you. There are some debts owed to me, and a machine of your talents would do me well in collecting…do me that, and I will find you the answers you seek.”
TEC seems to take just a brief pause to consider, before slowly nodding its head with a spin of the pistons powering it.
“You have yourself a deal.”
This draws another wide grin from Drexl, looking quite eager to pounce on the opportunity presented before him.
“Excellent.”
Cut.
The Double Tap Tournament continues here as the supernatural duo take on the crime fighting team. Can El Mariachi regain the titles with a new formidable ally or can Jackson Cade slowly rise his way back up to Eagle Nest with the Automaton by his side?
The bell sounds as all four men rush at one another, Jackson Cade catching El Mariachi by surprise with a brutal lifting forearm before Tombstone nearly turns him inside out with a jaw crunching Big Boot. Tombstone turns as he and TEC meet eyes before the pair rush forward
AS FERRYMAN AND ROBOT BEGIN A CLUBBERING!
Rights, lefts, hooks, uppercuts. The taller Tombstone unleashes everything on TEC with blows that would break a mortal man but TEC just tanks every blow, seemingly analysing the Courier before it slips underneath a wild right
CAPTURE SUPLEX!
TEC drops Tombstone right on his head with brutal power, even the Ferryman feels it as he slowly stumbles to his feet and is clotheslined over the ropes to the floor below before TEC takes his place on the apron. EMM and Jackson slowly get to their feet, Cade trying to surprise Mariachi with a Lariat but EMM ducks underneath, springboarding off
THE LAST CARNIVALE!
Mariachi nearly snaps Cade’s back in half with that brutal blow as he’s lifted up and stunned with a series of knees to the jaw before Mariachi rushes to the ropes once more, springboarding off
HOSTILE DOWN! CADE KICKS EL MUERTE RIGHT OUT OF THE FUCKING AIR!
Cade goes to cover but he doesn’t even get down to his knees before he’s thrown aside by Tombstone. The Ferryman pulls Mariachi into the corner, stepping through the ropes for a moment and tagging himself in. Tombstone walks forward as Cade leaps up, nailing the Ferryman with a hard punch to the jaw that barely moves his face. Cade is put down with a sickening headbutt before throwing him across the ring.
YOU CAN’T RUN FROM DECISIVE EVIDENCE! Cade managed to stop himself mid-run, dropping down as he gave TEC a platform to leap off and deliver a brutal Superkick to the jaw of Tombstone. The Ferryman staggers back but he’s not on his feet long before TEC turns him around
END OF WATCH! FUCKUBUSTER!
Tombstone is dazed and confused, TEC tagging himself in before the Automatron showing impressive strength to lift him up onto his shoulders and hoist him up high in an Electric Chair. Cade shaking away the cobwebs before climbing up to the top rope, feeling like spreading his wings here.
SCREAMING EAGLE IS THE ARCADIAN DREAM! BRUTAL SPINNING ELBOW TO THE HEART OF THE ELEVATED TOMBSTONE!
BUT THE FERRYMAN IS ALLREADY ON HIS FEET!
DOUBLE LARIATO TAKES ATOMIC EAGLE DOWN WITH BRUTAL FORCE!
Cade staggers to his feet into a leaping enziguri to the back of the head by EMM before he’s thrown overhead in a Belly to Belly
RIGHT INTO A CHOKESLAM! DEADLY LULLABY!
Cade rolls to the outside as TEC is gripped around the throat by both hands, EMM leaping onto the apron as he readies himself while TEC is lifted up high
SOUND OF DEATH! DOUBLE HANDED CHOKESLAM INTO A SPRINGBOARD LUNGBLOWER!
EMM may well have shattered his knees there but TEC looks out as Tombstone hooks the leg for the cover
ONE
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TWO
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THREE!!!
Day of the Dead do it here, picking up a brutal victory over Atomic Eagle as they move to the finals of Double Tap and the World Tag Team title match
WINNERS AND ADVANCING: DAY OF THE DEAD
“THE DEAD SING, II”
Back in the Red District.
Dr. Death, new OSW World Champion, broods in the ill-lit fringes of Arcadia’s infamous Pussycat Club. Neon light tinges the surrounding chaos in a sickly, sanguine hue.
At his side, like an ethereal wraith, is Nurse Frightengale, her eyes mirroring the unsettling blend of resolve and apprehension.
Across from the dastardly pair stands a desperate man. His pallid face etched with lines of fear, the man’s face is covered with sores, and his hands keep tugging at his pants. He’s tainted, carrying some kind of disease (transmitted sexually of course).
Dr. Death eyes him with a ghoulish glint dancing in his eyes.
“My dear fellow,” Dr. Death’s voice is velvet, laced with an undercurrent of a physician’s calculated neutrality, “the price for healing, for life, is steep, but not unpayable. Can you afford it?”
The man, hope flickering in his terrified eyes, nods hastily. With renewed determination, he dashes into the Red District to gather the requisite sum of credits.
In the echoing silence, Dr. Death leans over to Nurse Frightengale, his voice soft, yet carrying a sinister note.
“Frightengale,” he instructs, “prepare for a castration. The price for his renewed life, as you know, will be high, perhaps too high. It’s a fee many are not always prepared to remit.”
She gives him a grim nod, the specter of dread silently looming between them. A moment later, she inquires in a hushed whisper, “What of El Mariachi Muerte, Doctor?”
Whatever softness Death had seems to harden at the sound of his former partner’s name. A cold laugh emerges from behind his mask.
“Ah yes, I can hear his vengeful melody creeping closer with each passing day. That’s why we have not journeyed to Olympus, and why we are not in session at the Clinic today.”
Frightengale looks at him, her eyebrow raised, “I do not understand.”
Dr. Death regards her for a moment.
“These are things that even a woman of your skill cannot understand. The dead sing a mournful ballad, if one knows how to listen.”
She remains silent.
“Prepare the Clinic for our next procedure. I will prepare for El Mariachi Muerte.”
The dismissal clear, Frightengale leaves Dr. Death alone to continue brooding.
Cut.
The fifth edition of Double Tap ends with an unforgettable final where we will crown new OSW Tag Team Champions. Will the psychopathic duo of Scissors and Stubbins Doom become the new formidable Olympus duo or can El Mariachi become a two time tag team champion with the Ferryman by his side?
This is It
Eight Teams competed here tonight for the chance of immortality, some who knew one another for years. Some who teamed together for the very first time.
Allies and Enemies joined in one single purpose.
The OSW World Tag Team Championship
And Now, only two teams remain.
Scandium Sulphur, the VHS Champion and dark shadow of the former Puppetmaster Scissors aligning with the dominating former world champion Stubbins Doom
Day of the Dead, the former world champion El Mariachi Muerte who has made a beautiful symphony here tonight with the Rewind Champion Tombstone.
One Team will rise above and one team will fall.
The bell sounds as all four men stand in the middle of the ring. El Mariachi and Stubbins starting off for their teams.
Both men no stranger to one another with El Mariachi having been the man to take the World Title from Doom as Doom scowls at at Mariachi for a moment
Before tagging out to Scissors.
The maniacal Scissors slinks into the ring, pure malevolence pouring from Felix Foley’s dark passenger as he just stares down El Muerte.
Who gulps visibly before saying fuck that and tagging in Tombstone.
The Ferryman climbs over the ropes, staring at the insane Scissors who looks almost giddy at the sight of Tombstone before rushing forward
Lighting quick flurry of blows from Scissors as he unloads everything out on Tombstone who simply takes it impassively. A leaping Bicycle staggers Tombstone back a few feet before he rushes to the ropes
RIGHT INTO A DECAPITATING BIG BOOT!
Tombstone punted a few braincells out of the crazed Marionettist right there as Scissors staggers up to his feet before he’s lifted up into the air and wrapped in that rib crushing Bear Hug. Tombstone ragdolls Scissors for a moment before carrying Scissor’s Soul around the ring. But instead of the usual cries of pain and anguish,
We only hear giggles of joy as if Scissors relishes the pain inflicted.
Tombstone drops Scissors to the mat, the Ferryman confused by Scissors before lifting him up by the back of his head and tossing him across the ring.
CAN SCISSORS RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN? BOSS MAN….
SPIKE DDT!
Scissors flips out of the attempted Bossman Slam, spiking Tombstone into the mat with a brutal DDT but he’s not done as he quickly pulls up the Ferryman, doubleunderhooking his arms as he may well be looking to inflict a Little Mary Murder here
But Tombstone backdrops his way out of the Piledriver attempt, nailing Scissors with a brutal headbutt as he rushes back to his feet
GOOZLE
WATCH MY RIGHT HAND!
Doom’s detachable hand smacks against Tombstone’s skull as the Ferryman drops his grip upon Scissor’s throat before sending a death glare Dooms way. Stubbins panics slightly before pressing a button on his gauntlet as legions of his drones zoom into the ring and start attacking Tombstone.
AS THE MAD MONOLOGUE FILLS THE RING WITH SMOKE!
Tombstone is peppered by the drones as he tries to swat them away, the smoke slowly dissipating as we see Scissors rushing forward
HE HAS THE VHS TITLE IN HAND
AND SMASHES IT OVER TOMBSTONE’S SKULL!
The Ferryman doesn’t go down but he’s groggy and dazed as Scissors sizes him up for a moment
CACTUS CLOTHESLINE OVER THE TOP TO THE FLOOR BELOW!
Tombstone goes crashing down onto the hard concrete as Scissors sits upon the apron, staring down at him for a moment before climbing up as he rushes forward
RUNNING DOUBLE KNEEDROP ONTO THE FALLEN TOMBSTONE!
Even the mighty Ferryman had to feel that as Scissors slowly rolls through, laughing through the pain as he pulls Tombstone to his feet, dragging him towards the speaker before lifting him up high
POWERBOMB ONTO THE SPEAKER!
A SECOND ONE!
ARCHIMEDES…
MALICIOUS SONATA!
El Mariachi out of nowhere with a leaping stunner, stopping Scissors from completing the trifecta of Powerbombs.
Mariachi pulls up Tombstone, letting him catch his breath for a moment before the pair turn their attention to Scissors
ZERO GRAVITY DEMISE! SPRINGBOARD DROPKICK TO DAY OF THE DEAD
DID DOOM JUST DO A FUCKING SPRINGBOARD?
Stubbins rolls to his feet, double tapping his wrist as the gravity stabilizes around Doom before he grabs Mariachi by the back of the head and throws him back inside the ring. Stubbins smirks before backing up as he sizes the slowly rising El Muerte
AND FORCES HIM TO KNEEL BEFORE DOOM WITH A BRUTAL KNEE TREMBLER!
Doom cracks his neck, pulling Mariachi up to his feet and pummeling him with hard lefts and rights before gripping him around the temples as sparks begin to erupt from his hands
AS HE SHOWS EL MUERTE WHY BRAINS ALWAYS TRIUMPH OVER BRAUN WITH THE ELECTRO SHOCK LOBOTOMY!
Mariachi screams in pain as Doom tries to fry his brain. Muerte slowly going limp from the hold before Doom drags him into the corner and tags in Scissors. Doom lifting Muerte by the back of the head as he levitates off the ground before tossing him to Scissors
WHO PLANTS MARIACHI WITH A BRUTAL PILEDRIVER IN A REACTIVE TRANSITION!
That could well be it for Muerte but Scissors isn’t done as he lifts Mariachi up to his feet, spinning him around before locking him in a full nelson
AND CUTS THE STRINGS! SNAP FULL NELSON SUPLEX!
This could well be it here as Scissors covers the fallen Muerte, the referee sliding into position
ONE
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TWO
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……………………………………
………………………………….
DO WE HAVE NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS?
…………………………………
THRE…..
TOMBSTONE JUST BREAKS IT UP WITH A LEGDROP OVER THE BACK OF SCISSOR’S NECK!
The Ferryman grabs Mariachi, dragging him to the corner before tagging himself in as Tombstone rushes at Scissors like a freight train
NEARLY BREAKING HIS SKULL WITH A BRUTAL LEAPING BIG BOOT!
Scissors staggers back up into a flurry of stiff lefts and rights before getting lifted up into the air
AND NEARLY DRIVEN THROUGH THE MAT WITH THE ODE TO CHARON JACKNIFE POWERBOMB!
The Ferryman cracks his neck before raising one gloved hand in the air as Scissors slowly staggers up while the bells begin to chime.
BUT SCISSORS STAGGERS BACK INTO THE CORNER, BLIND TAGGING IN STUBBINS!
Doom just looks at Scissors, eyes wide as he tries to tag back out but is met with a brutal right hand knocking him for a loop
GOOZLE!
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS….
TOMBSTONE CAN’T LIFT DOOM!
Doom in desperation increases his gravitational mass once more, delivering a brutal headbutt that staggers Tombstone back before he delivers a thunderous clothesline like a mack track mowing down the Ferryman. Doom stalks the slowly rising Tombstone, looking for a chokeslam of his own
GRAVITATIONAL FORCE! BRUTAL CHOKESLAM TO TOMBSTONE!
That very well could be it when suddenly a beautiful melody flows through the air and Doom stops in his tracks as Mariachi steps into the ring, strumming a song just for the Doctor.
Stubbins struggles to move as Mariachi slowly walks forward, the music of El Muerte taking its hold before it comes to an abrupt halt
FINAL VERSE…NO!
Doom ducks underneath the guitar shot, drilling Mariachi low before spinning him up into the air
AND SHOWING MUERTE HOW
DOOM
IS
ETERNAL!
OMEGA DRIVER!
Stubbins plants Muerte into the mat but drops to one knee, forced to turn off the increased gravity as it takes a heavy toll on his body. Doom looks towards his corner at a frenzied looking Scissors and tags him back into the match.
Before sparks of electricity begin to flow over Doom and the good Doctor begins to supercharge himself.
Doom stands there for a moment, burning bright from pure energy before placing one hand on Scissor’s shoulder
AND TRANSFERRING SOME OF THE ENERGY TO HIS TAG PARTNER!
Unlike Doom, Scissors doesn’t have anything to shield him from the electricity as pain radiates throughout his body
And Scissors…well Scissors just laughs maniacally enjoying every moment
Scissors is loving this shit.
Tombstone slowly gets to his feet, Doom spraying the Ferryman with a toxin that causes him to recoil in pain as Scissors rushes to the ropes
BICYCLE KICK! CHEMICAL CUT!
Tombstone is down but not out as Scissors and Doom back up into seperate corners, malicious intent in mind
ELEMENTAL COMBUSTION! SUPERCHARGED SANDWICH PUNT KICK!
Doom spears a rising Mariachi as the pair fall to the outside while Scissors body finally gives out from the electricity, collapsing onto Tombstone as the referee counts
ONE
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…………………………
TWO
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………………………………….
……………………………………….
THREE!!!! WE HAVE NEW OSW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!
The psychopathic duo of VHS Champion Scissors and the Doctor Stubbins Doom pick up the victory here tonight, emerging the winners of the 5th Double Tap and the brand new OSW World Tag Team Champions.
WINNERS OF DOUBLE TAP AND NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: SCANDIUM SULFUR
“IMMORTALITY”
Sometime Later.
Candylabs.
With the death of Teddy O’Toole, Candylabs has ceased operations until someone else can be put in charge. Inside the now abandoned factory, Drewitt paces back and forth.
He has a gun in his hand.
“C’mon big guy,” he mutters to himself. “You can do this.”
His pacing picks up speed.
“You need to know,” he says. “You need to know.”
Suddenly, he stops.
With a swift motion, he puts the pistol to the side of his head.
“Pull it!” He demands of himself. “Pull the fucking trigger!”
BANG!
Womp.
Just like that, The Explorer pulls the trigger, blowing his own brains out. As he falls to the floor with a womping thud, the light in his eyes vanishes and blood pours from the gaping hole in his skull.
That’s when Tombstone appears.
“You continue to play with matters you do not understand, mortal,” he angrily growls, taking a seat beside the broken body of Drewitt.
Just as quickly as he appeared, Igor Mortis follows.
“This must stop,” he demands.
“I’ll wait beside him until he awakens, Igor,” Tombstone assures him with a nod. “And then we’ll talk.”
Cut.
“EXECUTION”
Somewhere Else.
In a dark dank little cell in the middle of no-where Zeus has ever been before, the Baron sits dishevelled against a grimy wall. When the cell bars clang and the door open, Narcissa walks on through with a cup of water on a metal tray with some bread. She slides it over to him and steps back behind the cell doors, locking them.
He greedily takes the water and bread, feasting whilst he can.
“Why haven’t you killed me yet?” He says between desperate mouthfuls.
“When I tried to blow you up at Mount Olympus, it was about impact and devastation. We wanted to make a statement,” she admits.
“And there’s no statement in putting a bullet in my head now, is there?” He quickly catches on.
Narcissa smiles.
“Exactly, my love,” she agrees. “We’re planning something a little more public. There’s a lot of people in Arcadia who want to see you dead and we’re not going to take that away from them.”
“Do you really think my death will mean anything?” He hisses back at her. “Look at the Elders. They thought more of themselves than you or I and no-one remembers them; I made sure of that.”
She shakes her head in disgust.
“That’s the difference, isn’t it?” Narcissa says, crouching down. “You made sure people forgot The Elders and what they did for Arcadia. I won’t ever let anyone forget what you did to hold your people down. I won’t let anyone forget what Zeus did to maintain power, his dictatorship, his vile and devious nature. You’ll live on forever in the memories of these people as someone not to become.”
The Baron stands, approaching the cells so that he’s stood face to face with her.
“Build your gallows,” he hisses angrily. “Build your death machine and place my neck in the noose. Hang me in a public execution for the world to see.”
“Oh, I intend to,” Balenciaga retorts with a smirk.
“But you’d better make sure I die,” he continues. “Because if I survive it, you won’t destroy my legacy, you’ll just enhance my legend.”
Narcissa scoffs and walks away, leaving Zeus behind bars, captive and awaiting his very public execution.
Cut.